Elton John is back, baby! And not just back to sipping tea in his rhinestone pajamas, but back on the red carpet—sunglasses on, infection in tow—because nothing says “rock ‘n’ roll” like battling a severe eye infection while promoting a documentary about yourself.
At the wise age of 77 (or as I like to call it, “seasoned fabulousness”), Sir Elton strutted into the 2024 Toronto Film Festival like he owned the place. Spoiler alert: he probably does. The premiere? Oh, just his little side project, New Too Late. It’s a documentary. You know, a small, indie flick about… him. Casual.
But Elton wasn’t flying solo, no. His husband, David Furnish, tagged along, naturally, to make sure he didn’t bump into anything. Then there was RJ Cutler, co-director and expert in trying to contain Elton’s larger-than-life fabulousness on film. The three of them took the stage, not just to bask in Elton’s sparkle, but to discuss the making of the doc.
And in classic Elton fashion, he delivered a line that could win an Oscar for “Most Dramatic Moment in a Post-Eye-Infection Situation.” “The love I have for this family, my family, my children, and my friends, has never been better,” he declared, eyes welling up—well, at least one of them. Because plot twist: he couldn’t see the audience. “I’m 77 years old, and I’m having the best time of my life, except for this f–king eye,” he said, managing to drop the most Elton sentence possible. “I wish I could see you, but I can’t.” A moment of pure drama, people. Give this man a Grammy, an Oscar, and maybe some eyedrops.
Oh, and did I mention that he’s been dealing with this “severe eye infection” all summer? Like, as if this guy didn’t have enough going on! Limited vision, yet unlimited flair.